LISLE --Wheaton Academy might have been ranked in a higher slot in Chicagoland Soccer honorable mention list this week, and the Warriors anticipate this to be another winning season for a program whose history in the past 10 years has included state crowns in 2009 (Class AA) and 2016 (A), a runnerup finish in 2017 (AA), a third place trophy in 2010 (AA) and fourth place campaign in 2011 (AA).

That's an impressive run.

But when Tuesday’s nonconference visit to Benet was over, the host Redwings had Wheaton Academy’s number for the eighth-straight season.

Benet tacked on a 3-1 triumph to the previous seven years of Redwing wins which have occurred since a 2-1 Wheaton victory back in 2010.

When it was said that Benet always seems to win against the Warriors, the Red Wings' Mia Tommasone shrugged with the innocence of a sophomore.

“All I know from the seniors and coaches is that every time we meet them, it’s a good game and never easy,” Tommasone said. “They came out strong, and I knew how important it was for us to answer. I was glad to help get us even (at 1-1).”

According to Benet coach Gerard Oconer, Tommasone did more than that.

“That was really big in so many respects. Obviously it was an answer late in the first half. Not only did it get us right back into the match, but if we went into halftime trailing after dominating like we had, it would have been really deflating,” Oconer said. “We were then able to carry that momentum into the second half. So as critical as her goal and the timing was, Mia’s work rate throughout the match also made her deserving of MVP of the Match.”

A few examples of Benet’s aggressive start included a cross from side-to-side just eight minutes in that went begging for a redirect from any Redwing. Ten minutes in, Mia Ulmer had an open look from directly atop the box only to have the try sail high. At 14:39, Ulmer had a 17-yard rocket from the right side but Wheaton defender Lydia Sedo was on the line to stop that potential goal. Less than two minutes elapsed before Cami Picha’s cross sizzled through the crease untouched by either side.

In the first truly notable play at the opposite end, Wheaton Academy’s indefatigable Erin Teevans managed to steal a ball near the end line left of the goal and worked her way in for a 1-v.-1 with Benet goalie Eva Frantzen at 23:08. Figuring Frantzen was close enough to snuff out the angle to either side, Teevans opted to power the ball up to make it difficult for the Benet keeper to catch. However the shot simply kept rising and sailed over the goal.

But with 10:08 remaining in the opening half, Teevans’ hustle helped her pounce on a misplayed ball in the box. She was lining up a shot when knocked off her feet. There was little surprise that Teevans converted the penalty kick with ease and her ball into the right half of the goal gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead. That ended Frantzen’s hopes for an eighth clean-sheet of her own; she also shared a shutout.

It was the 18th goal for the senior forward, who plans to play the next four seasons for Taylor University in Indiana.

“We practice (PKs) a lot, and there’s no special strategy,” Teevans said. “As much as I work on placement, I think the consistency of the stroke is most important to success. One mistake some make is to lean back too much. I focus on the fundamentals of the shot and follow through.”

Benet saw an opportunity for an immediate equalizer from the left wing, but Sarah Bozych was thwarted on the line by defender Lizzy Swoboda. Both coaches seamlessly used reserves to continue their attacks, and the Redwings’ Emily Mikitka had a laser shot that Wheaton Academy goalie Marta Oster deflected over the goal. Shortly after the corner, Benet’s Picha blasted a try that Oster caught.

With 5:27 on the clock, Teevans had consecutive corner kicks which cruised from side-to-side to everyone’s amazement. Teevans then came back trying to dribble through a pair of Benet defenders before having the ball dislodged.

Benet turned the play around and at the opposite end, Picha had the ball wide right. Her textbook pass was knocked home by Tommasone with 3:29 remaining before intermission. It was the sophomore’s seventh goal and Picha’s fifth assist. Energized by the score, Tommasone got a toe on another cross, but the touch lacked power, and Oster made the save with ease.

With just under two minutes on the clock, Teevans’ stellar direct kick looked dangerous before Benet veteran Mary Kate Hansen headed the ball away. A half minute later, Teevans was back and a 26-yard cannon shot from the left wing caromed off the crossbar but clearly down and out from the Redwings goal.

“We needed to get that second goal in the first half with the wind to our back, because we knew it would be a factor in the second half,” Wheaton Academy coach Jeff Brooke said. “They (Benet) had great pace and used it to their advantage getting out wide. I was disappointed we couldn't advance the ball out of our third of the field better in the second half. Give them credit for keeping us down in our third of the field a lot.”

That was indeed the case as evidenced statistically. Benet increased its overall attempts from 11 to 15 in the second half for a 26-5 advantage. The shots on goal did dip from nine to eight, but still resulted in a 17-1 edge for the Redwings. Wheaton Academy’s only three corner kicks came in the opening half while the hosts had 10, with six in the second half to further illustrate how much time the ball spent nearer the Wheaton Academy net.

Benet opened the second half with shots from Abby Casmere, and then Ulmer that Oster saved after a momentary bobble. With 46:28 elapsed, a Tommasone missile that was stopped on the line by Teevans.

“I’m willing to contribute wherever I can,” Teevans said. “We practice enough scenarios that I know to get back past defensively for corner kicks. What was frustrating for us in this game is that we just couldn’t get the ball upfield. Not being able to counter kept us from getting any real momentum.”

Teammate Emma Goebel echoed that assessment.

“We’re usually very effective on the counterattack, and it wasn’t there today, or at least we didn’t do it often enough,” Goebel said. “Even having to defend against their attack, we play with energy and try to be very positive. That’s a plus I believe we can take forward into remaining games.”

Despite the Warriors’ lack of offense, it remained a 1-1 match through 67-plus minutes. Benet’s continued pressure paid off with 12:05 left in regulation. Casmere attacked from the right and the follow-up scramble led to Nicole Burns sending the loose ball into the back of the net.

“Abby shot the ball hard, and the resulting bounce was there for me to attack,” Burns said about her fourth goal from Casmere’s sixth assist. “It was good to get a late goal for a lead I believed we could keep. It may be late in the season, but a win against a quality opponent is always welcome, and it’s a plus this time of the year to have winning become a habit.”

Bidding for an insurance goal two minutes later, North Central recruit Lauren Fischer sent a chopper that Oster saved to keep the door open for the Warriors.

“In the end, I know Marta is not happy about anyone scoring three on us, but she made so many other good stops. When I look at where she was a year ago compared to now, her play is a highlight,” Brooke said. “Erin was a handful for them, especially in the first half. We need to do a better job getting her the ball.

“We missed A.C. (Anne Camille Hardy who was wearing a walking boot), and Faith (Pollino) was also out. So we shifted a few players,” Brooke added. “I thought Kathryn (Sezonov) did well filling in at center back and Sophie (Lindquist) is always active.”

Benet essentially shut the door by capping the scoring with just 3:54 left on the clock. Senior Erin Flynn – a Washington University (St. Louis) signee – took the ball down the right side and fed it to the middle where Hansen appeared off an overlapping run. The result was Hansen’s third goal and Flynn’s team-best ninth set-up.

“Erin was consistently sending passes across. So I knew she’d do it again and I made sure to get to the back post,” Hansen noted. “It wasn’t as I hoped, but I got my thigh on it enough to send it home.”

Having had a six-match win streak snapped in an uncharacteristic loss to Neuqua Valley – a short-handed Benet squad gave up four first half goals and lost 7-0 – the Redwings have another six-game streak (5-0-1) that follows an earlier 6-game win skein.

“The best aspect of the game was the way we moved the ball and dominated possession particularly in the second half,” Oconer said. “I would like for us to have been a little more efficient finishing.”

Otherwise it was an ideal way for Benet to prep for three-straight matches that will determine the East Suburban Catholic Conference title. The Redwings host Marian Central on Wednesday, Nazareth on Saturday and Carmel on May 8. Benet finished second to Carmel last year in the league standings. The Redwings were the league champ in 2016 and tied for second in 2015.

Wheaton Academy, which has already locked up the its fourth-straight Metro Suburban Conference divisional crown (labeled the West Division in 2015 and Blue Division since), focuses on a Tuesday home date with St. Edward followed by a Thursday visit to Elmwood Park before heading south and west to the Notre Dame (Quincy) Showcase.